Sean, not to knock anything, but there was something you gave a down to that I disagree with. You gave a down to the Starfleet officer giggling at the other's being startled by the dog. I can tell you from firsthand experience, clearing a room with weapons out and very much on guard looking for threats, I had a situation where I was doing the very same thing, and someone got startled by a life-sized cardboard cutout of a character in a shopping mall. The person was startled thinking it was a burglar and there were a few giggles. But then you get over it, move on with your game face. And when it's all over, we laugh about it. When you're dealing with intense stress, you have to find humor in things, it's how you cope. I found that part to be very realistic as I've lived it. And in the episode, guy was startled, someone giggled, and they moved on. I found it to be realistic. You can't be distracted; you have to be focused.

I think Anson Mount deserves an up because you can see that he feels every loss, and that while he's thinking tactically, you can see how much he hates giving the order to close those bulkheads. That to me, is what a true captain is supposed to be. I think Captain Pike could actually become my favorite captain, Sisko still has him beat, but those moments of humanity are making him a close second.

That scene where Captain Pike thinks Uhura and Hemmer are dead worked so well for me. Not because of tension around whether they lived or not, but because of Anson Mount's amazingly genuine performance. Seriously he's quickly becoming one of my favorite captains.

The humor is like when Odo asked Garak, "You'd shoot a man in the back?" and without missing a beat, Garak responds, "Well it's the safest way".

I get the clicking. The sounds we have had before where a lone Gorn acting in an intimidating manner to a mammal enemy. We never heard them "talking" to each other. Also Gorn could also be using it as code on the hunt like the lights

On Up number 5, I really like there is a point where Ortegas is freaking out and Pike doesn't say a word. He looks at La'an and lets her do her job as Acting XO.

The death of the crew member was more than your typical redshirt demise. We didn't know his name but we saw him dying heroically while saving another's life. Thanks for the review.

This episode is all about submarine culture and combat. The Puget Sound area of the Pacific North West is home to many Submarines and submariners. The tracking of the enemy ships was strait up a Sonar tracking analog. The crushing of the hull is always a risk when diving deep to avoid enemy vessels. Even to the seemingly unimportant reference to filters, was very relevant to folks who work on submarines. A very cool episode, I absolutely loved it!

Strange New Words is the Trek I’ve been craving for the last 20 years. Don’t get me wrong I love lower decks and prodigy and Picard had its moments but SNW just really hits the spot in the way the others could not.

Reptiles make a variety of vocalizations like clicking, chirping, and barks as well as hissing. Each has specific meanings. Clicking makes sense for the Gorn, an intelligent species, because they use a Morse code like system to communicate. Which can be encoded in clicks. The writers obviously did their research and were able to give the Gorn intelligent vocalizations beyond the played out Hollywood hissing sounds. When you give your reasons for a down sometimes I agree, sometimes I don’t, but sometimes they are just uninformed like your down for the clicking.

Up to Ethan Peck for his stoic “I’m not crying. You’re crying.” Look to La’An during the mind meld. I felt Spock’s loss in my guts. Love your vids.

I think you may have missed a fun moment with Spock! After Uhura told Pike they were ok, the camera focused on Spock and he let a smile creep onto his face, I assume out of relief or joy that they were safe! He allowed a little bit of his humanity bleed out, but he did so knowing no one would see it but the camera audience! I thought it was a great touch!

Pike: “Yes, let’s take the ship down to crushable depths! Thanks Spock!” Spock: “That is not what I suggested.”

I thought it was the best episode so far, and loved that it was clearly inspired by Balance of Terror and Disaster. SNW is easily the best of the current era of Trek shows.

“The Aenar believe the end only comes once you have fulfilled your purpose.” “What was your purpose?” “To fix what is broken.” That gives me *all the feels!*

The giggle about the dog was great. It felt so real. The guy didn’t laugh at the other guy, he laughed because that bit of unexpected humor released tension. It was realistic. As for M’benga’s daughter, Una gave him a separate power supply for that, that’s not tied into the ship’s systems. So it wouldn’t have been affected.

Four episodes deep, and SNW is rapidly becoming my favorite ST series, ever. ❤

There's a moment that I loved from this episode. Ortegas says they are going to I think prepare to engage the enemy ship as it approaches and the Captain looks at La'an and gives them this look. La'an then tells Ortegas to relax. Pike didn't want to reprimand Ortegas for getting ahead of herself so he had La'an do it. So very well done. Great episode.

Big up for Ortegas. I like her banter with the captain. This week with “bombs away” and “dive, dive dive”… i think she plays the cocky pilot well. Yes she brings up the negatives like flying into the brown giant that the science expert says will crush the ship… but she is cocky enough to make those comments out loud to her captain…

@seanferrick, I quite liked the way the security officer laughed at the other that jumped at the dog. As a former soldier it's probably something I would have done as soldiers use humour (usually quite twisted) to put themselves at ease in sometimes very dangerous situations. Also PTSD affects everyone very differently. I myself have never been diagnosed with it (although my wife is sure I suffer from it). I was involved in an incident 24 years ago as an 18 year old that at the time shocked me and I managed to block it out in my younger years but it now haunts me and I can see in my mind the aftermath of said incident as clear as if it was yesterday.

Just when I think I can't enjoy this show more it impresses me. This episode directly went back to the original idea that space combat would more be like naval combat than anything else. The direct references, "Aye sir! Dive! Dive! Dive!" just had me grinning. Also GOD Anton is showing how awesome he is! His speeches are legit inspiring! Also his depiction of relief when Uhura responds was equal parts, "Thank GOD!" and "I needed that win". This is worth the $5 a month alone.

Peck saying sensors like Nimoy (“sense-oars”) was very appreciated by me.

I swear, every week it's a contest between Jess Bush and Celia Rose Gooding for MVP of Strange New Worlds. This whole cast is so, so good, but these two are just on another level.

I just love Strange New Worlds. I think Pike looking at the dead crew members must have him think of the crew members he'll save in the future.

Re: The mind meld: You mentioned that we usually see it as thoughts only flowing one way, but I can think of two big examples of mind melds that are more of the two-way street you describe. First Picard and Sarek in the TNG episode "Sarek," when Picard takes on Sarek's emotional burden and imparts some his stoicsm so the Ambassador can get through a difficult negotiation without breaking down. Then in the fantastic VOY episode "Meld," you have Tuvok and Suder, where each of them take on characteristics of the other.

That clicking sounds was exactly like the sound made by the aliens in ST TNG Schisms. Really loved this episode. Strange New World is fast becoming the best of the new Star Treks

The more I see of TrekCulture's growing community, the more I like the people involved in it 🖖😘

It reminded me of "Balance of Terror" in a very good way with the tension of the battle. I'm loving the series so far. random Ensign hides behind Uhura Captain Pike "What are you doing?" Ensign "Deploying plot armor, sir."

Anson Mount is playing Pike so well...his reaction when Uhura and Hemmer respond after the escape and explosion is marvelous! His humanity shines through as his Leadership. His moment and face while he is amongst his lost crew's caskets...Pike is becoming my Favorite Captain and I watched the original series when it was brand new!!!

Remember, Kirk fought the Gorn captain. Perhaps there is more than one species of Gorn. Many hierarchies in nature and science fiction have workers, drones, soldiers etc.

The scoring for the memorial of those lost was beautiful

Love the way this episode used the sound of the hull creaking, just like in movies where its used on a submarine as a point of high tension. Keep up the grand work Sean!

I recall while I was watching episode one, thinking, “Wait- is CHAPEL gonna be my favorite character?? CHAPEL???” Four episodes in, and the answer is still yes. Yes she is.

It's official...I got a crush on Captain Pike. 😂

I really liked the scene at the beginning where they spot the Gorn ship while the away team is on the planet. It all unfolds in seconds like it should. they see an unidentified ship, Captain says bring back the away team, and a second later, they report that the away team is on board. Thank you transporters. Too often in all of the series, this kind of thing is carried out with all of the leisure of a stroll in the park.

Anson Mount's acting was absolutely stellar in this episode. We all knew that they would be alive but the relief that hit Pike when he heard it hit me hard.

Sean - DS9 - The Defiant fought a battle in a Gas Giant dealing with so many of the same issues - how are you not referencing “Starship Down?” ❤️

The Doctor's Daughter was provided an independent power supply as referenced in the episode in which we find out that Una isn't human... Which is another thing in which suggests that there must be some sort of adaptation in process for the blood transfer.

I honestly thought this was the best episode of Star Trek in YEARS!!! THIS is Trek!

Seán, what is "thank you for putting up with me in general" supposed to mean, seeing you on screen is a delight as always!! You're one of my most favourite people on trek culture, along wit Marcus and Ellie. Thank you for your hard work!! Watching new episodes of Star Trek doesn't feel complete without watching your ups and downs afterwards!!

Oh, I think I got a reference you missed! When the cargo ship originally didn't respond to the hail, Pike ordered the ship to yellow alert and the shields up. Saavik would be proud!

Uhura was great. Her, "Get fine with it" reminded me of her later in life: "you wanted adventure, how's this? Got the old adrenaline going? Get in the closet!"

I have a big UP for the use of space in this whole series so far, the way they use the cgi and the choreographer, the fact that the ship is shown dodging and weaving in previous episodes, and then the brown dwarf and black hole visuals, mwa! **chef's kiss**

Felt like Balance of Terror, which is a pretty great thing. Classic submarine warfare stuff. Really liked it.

Actually, the clicking could be another vocalization from the Gorn, maybe it’s their “stealth” form of communication used while hunting. Also, while running from Khan in the Mutara Nebula, Spock did have semi-partial sensors since he picked up a faint signal from Reliant turning under impulse, which gave him the idea that Khan was fighting 2-dimensionally in 3D space.

Memento Mori: Ingredients: A heaping pile of “Balance of Terror” A dash of “The Wrath of Khan” A pinch of “Starship Down” Mix and serve at room temperature.

Cetacean Obs: The blind, injured engineer talking someone through a task is very reminiscent of TNG with LaForge and a Romulans "Commodore".

Remembrance day for the federation reminds me of memorial day which is this coming Monday for us here in the states. Great timing and great episode

This was such an intense episode! I'm really loving Strange New Worlds and it's probably my favorite Trek series of all the Paramount + shows

I am loving this series as being old enough to have watched the original as a girl. This hits all the right chords, and it is a real love letter to Gene Roddenberry and his vision for the show. Same trope setups but beautifully done.

This has been an amazing show. At this point I think I'm ok if they only use Canon as a guideline and not a law. Seriously, Uhura, Chapel, even Spock, and others are clearly being given opportunities to be more than TOS depicted them as. I'm ok with that. It would not be fair that such a competent officer such as Uhura gets stuck as a communication officer with no other relevance. Let this show grow organically with the characters

Underlying theme of this episode was Memorial Day, I think. Perfect time for this time of year. A tragedy for those who became part of the memorial.... 😑

There was one part that I was curious about. I couldn't help but notice Spock sweating. I don't know why this stood out for me. I was just remembering that T'Pol on Enterprise and Tuvok on Voyager both mentioned the conditions needed for Vulcans to sweat. So, I guess maybe the conditions were met with power down and no environmental systems working and that Spock is half human. I don't know. I just don't recall Spock sweating anywhere else. Also, did anyone catch Spock smile a little during the end scene when Pike thought that Hemmer and Uhura were killed, and Uhura called out, and Pike was relieved? They panned to Spock who did a little half-smile before turning away.

Forget the "Pike Maneuver", for all intents and purposes, this captain just effectively defeated the "Kobayashi Maru"!

About the latinum up: I love the part where the Gorn ship is in interception course and Pike orders to stay still, Ortegas then say "initiating evasive maneuvers" and La'An, as acting number one, puts her in place instead of Pike

Love how Pike has faith in the Enterprise in surviving the pressure of the brown dwarf and black hole, showing how Enterprise is also an heroic character in Star Trek!

The Gorn do make clicking sounds along with their hisses. See the Star Trek: Enterprise for which they make an appearance

I've really been enjoying SNW. I also love Jess Bush. I feel like the relatively large cast has been so well balanced.

I love that this show is episodic. I'm tired of waiting 10+ (including filler episodes) weeks to finish a story.

The clicking made me first think of those inter dimensional aliens that kept Riker from getting any sleep lol.

the fight in the brown dwarf also reminded me of the DS9 episode Starship Down.

It is a shame that we couldn’t see more of the remembrance pins. Seeing them in Chicago (where they were displayed) there were pins for the Europa, the Shenzhou, and for Discovery (which I assume Pike was wearing)

I caught some TOS background music (from the Tholian Web and probably others) being played during this episode. That made me so happy. This series is really being lovingly done. And can I just say those little displays at the top of the bridge stations that call back to the TOS bridge displays really need their greens and blues back. Make it happen, guys.

When I saw the doberman my first thought was, "Crap! They beamed into Racoon City!"

I can't believe no one's mentioned Spock's smile at the end when he's turning back to his station. I honestly feel like that's a noteworthy moment.

With Pike this episode, I thought back to his concerns that he had in episode 1 about knowing the future and I kinda felt that they were taking place here. He was putting the Enterprise in a dangerous position, assured that it would hold. Granted it had to because they were dead either way but it still because he knew he was going to live past those events he took actions that, did save the ship but it is one that someone else might've not done.

With this episode, Star Trek is back !!!!! This episode was the bomb, I loved it. It reminded me of how I felt watching Capt Kirk in my 20's.. IM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW I COULD JUST SPIT......THERE I SAID IT. Please Star Trek, start writing that Gorn Movie now, we all know you can deliver a masterpiece. if you did, you would make a old man happy one more time, Gods knows i love my Star Trek.

SNW is fast becoming my favorite Star Trek Series. The writing, performing, and direction has been close to perfect.

I want to talk for a second about the sound design and music. After watching Episode 4 "Memento Mori" I am convinced that the sound design and score teams have to be filled with massive fans. I watch the show early in the morning and watch with noise canceling headphones, so I hear a lot of the nuances that go into the sound design. The team has done an amazing job of bringing effects from all of Star Trek into the sound of SNW. While I have heard sounds from all of the shows, they have intentionally made the effects from TOS to be the most prominent. It really brings a sense of audio continuity to the show, it also helps with the immersion and is part of what makes SNW so familiar even though it's the first season. On to the music, the quality of the score is film worthy in my opinion. I am usually hyper critical of a show or movies score, as it can really make or break a story (see James Horner's score for Wrath of Khan). The use of score elements from TOS as well as parts that evoke the Star Trek film lineage are incredibly on point.

I love this series so far! Thanks for the content TrekCulture team!

My view on the Gorn clicking sound was an up. I thought, this is clever we are learning something new about the species. Maybe this is a sound they use in hunting parties for communication or even a kind of excited purring. My down for the dog scene was a little different. My first thought was 'why don't Gorn eat dogs?' my second part to the down was the janky aluminum patio door with what looked like a key lock that the dog was behind. Fantastic episode. Strange New Worlds has brought back a lot of the classic weekly excitement we all love from Trek. We are only four episodes in and I feel like we are really bonding with the crew. All led by Pike who makes a perfect Captain.

This was one of the greatest episodes of any television show ever. It was perfect in every which way. It was suspenseful, had great action, beautiful to look at, the acting was terrific. The story was awesome. It felt like we were watching a submarine battle take place (which was the point though) Anson Mount is becoming my favorite captain. He knows his weaknesses, so he on has Spock tell him about his black holes and gas giants. But he still controls everything around him. I would follow this man everywhere.

Nurse Chapel has study archeological medicine. She knows how to treat people without the advanced equipment. Loved it.

I found a lot to like about this episode. Some of my favourites: - how they handled the exchange between Una and M'Benga as she wakes up. These two characters simply giving each other a smile spoke volumes without making a big deal out of it. - Uhura is fast becoming one of my favourite characters. No disrespect to Nichelle Nichols, but Uhura in TOS was underused. In SNW the character is finally given the chance to shine. - Anson Mount's performance was great, imho. Pike's leadership style really worked for me this episode and the tension and relief in that final scene on the bridge especially made me appreciate Mount's acting skills as he made it believable. To be honest, when he appeared in Discovery, I wasn't really sure about the character, even though I knew from canon that he was a good captain.

LOVED Remembrance Day! Brilliant concept, thank you Trek. Also loved the teamwork and technobabble in this episode. This show feels like the Trek we've been waiting for, once again, thank you to everyone working on this show

Can I say how much I love that they aren't just beaming down to a planet in their indoor uniforms, but that have outer wear and body armor?!

Arent the hisses and growls made by the adults? Why would that mean their young would also make those noises instead of clicking, especially since she survived a gorn nursery planet full of their young?

La'an was great in this. She is good in the number one spot. It feels right. Her character is becoming more likable to me. I love the bridge crew. Great episode

The whole series deserves an Up! Love it! Love it! Love it !!!!!

Loved the original bridge computing sounds that were used for a few seconds

Bit unfair to give a down for the Gorn clicking but later say you're not about to pick apart canon...

I think this is the best episode yet and I was surprised you didn’t give it a perfect score like you gave the first episode love your show

I remember waiting for the premier episode of TOS and how much I enjoyed each new episode. As much as I have enjoyed every enteration of Star Trek over the years it has never felt quite the same, until now.

I LOVE this series so far. I love the stories in each episode, the development of individual characters, the camaraderie of the crew. I must also say that my husband has not been impressed with the latest Star Treks, but really likes the two episodes he’s seen so far.

I am loving the series so far, it is amazing. I loved this episode, I think everyone did an excellent job...but I believe it was Christina Chong who deserves the MVP award for this one.

Such a good breakdown, as always, Sean. I cannot express how impressed I am with Christina Chong, even though some of the La'an stuff didn't feel earned to me. Yet, Chong is absolutely brilliant. She is acting to the hilt and it's fantastic.

Uhura and Hemmer become my favorite duo on the show and quickly developed a father daughter vibe that was just precious ❤.

The show uses a lot of the Michael Piller formula for TNG - making us care about each character that much more by centering an episode on that character while still carrying out a major story. We learn so much about La'an and yet it was an action packed gripping episode. Absolutely fantastic!

All I have to say is, I can't believe we've waited so long for a Pike centric series, but I'm so glad we've waited this long for this pike series.

Ever since Futurama, I giggle every time Spock uses the “Spock-o-scope” & he used it a lot in this episode. I love their definition of pacifism. It involves defense. I will say, I think this episode would have been better had I not known who had “plot armor” & who didn’t. It will be interesting to see how future generations react. This show feels like it will be like Star Wars where do you watch in production order or chronological order? Like with Wars I’ll probably be a production order purist, but I don’t have kids yet so who knows.

4 episodes in and 4 absolute bangers. SNW is just killing it

I love the TARDIS and weeping angel on the shelf!

On the Gorn sounds, someone brought up the interesting point that the hissing and growling in _Arena_ could have just been an intimidation display, and the clicks described here are their actual means of communication. Which is some good worldbuilding. Personally, I think it's just that the production decided it would've been too silly to have this little girl growling and hissing at La'an. 😏 Also, if TNG Season 6's _Schisms_ taught us anything, it's that alien clicking sounds are creepy af. (That scene on the holodeck where they recreate their shared abduction experience gives me chills every damn time.) I have a down of my own regarding the Gorn 'morse code' though... Why, why, WHY, is it in English? Like, I'd understand if La'an's brother worked out the meaning attached to certain patterns and THAT'S what was in his notes...but why would they have an entire morse code alphabet that is literally the English alphabet, and used to spell English words?

Absolutely loved this episode. For moments, I forgot this was set before TOS, and I was genuinely fearing for Uhura life. I really thought when the young girl was clicking, it was going to be a reference to the aliens in TNG: Schisms. My mind didn't go, "Ohhh the Gorn". I loved the sounds and rumbles, also the call to the sounds and rumbles of the hull pressure. It really felt like the ship, was a ship.

Sean, it's called a mind 'meld'. There is no door that also works the other way, no 'could be both ways'. It's a fusion of two minds, becoming one. The Vulcan chant often recited in different variances says as much: 'Your thoughts to my thoughts. Our minds are merging, our minds are becoming one'. And when Tuvok melds with Suder (VOY ep: Meld) it is clear that both paries have access to the others mind. Picard melds with Sarek (TNG ep: Sarek) and they exchange parts of their personalities and emotions. Mind melds have always been both ways, but sometimes depicted as being one reading the mind of the other, I'll give you that. Still great episode, keep it going!

I was definitely remembering “DS9: Starship Down” in this episode when they’re in the brown dwarf. Not only with the ships looking for each other inside the gases but also with the radar on the view screen to monitor where the enemy ship is too.👏😀

La'An and Ortegas. Wow.

Sorry, Sean, I can't give you the "seal the bulkheads" scene as a call back to Voyager. This is because such scenes have been a staple of naval battles and oceanic disasters since the early '40's. Something happens to the ship/submarine/starship, you have to seal a bulkhead/room/deck to save the vessel, someone is left behind. Stakes are raised, "heavy is the burden of command", cut, print, next scene. There is nothing unqiuely Voyager about it. Voyager did it well, especially using the doctor for it, but it wasn't theirs.

When it was revealed that Uhura and Hemmer were OK, you can see Spock smile a bit as he turns away from the viewscreen. I like these subtle things they put in this show!

Also, this situation is a classic submarine cat-and-mouse plot reminiscent of "Balance Of Terror" from TOS. The tension and pacing are perfectly executed. Thumbs up.